I'm beyond screwed if my parents find me before I leave the house.
I know I shouldn't act behind their backs to do something I know they are against.
They barely let me leave the house as it is. They would freak out if I told them I'm enrolling at the Haldorian Academy.
That's why I can't tell them.
And also the reason why I'm not giving up on this idea.
I need to find some purpose in my life. I must discover what else is out there. They can't expect me to be hidden from the world forever. And if I don't go today, this is exactly what I can expect my life to be, forever.
The idea of joining an academy where the best warriors, healers, and mystics go is terrifying, but not as scary as being a prisoner in my own house.
I'm just a simple human. I don't have any skills or special abilities. But what else can I do? I don't want to stay in Brammere. There's so much out there for me to know. My district is cool and all, but it's just…boring.
Going to the capital of the Haldoria Kingdom and becoming someone useful, someone who fights to protect others, sounds way better than following in my parents' footsteps. Being farmers and helping the community is something to be proud of.
It's just not what I want for myself.
I want… more.
I might sound greedy, ungrateful even, but growing up deprived of everything other kids had easily, things that should be considered normal, like dating or even going to school, left me with a bitter taste in my mouth.
I pull a black hoodie over my head, wear my worn-out sneakers, and check my reflection in the mirror one last time. My long, black hair is pulled into a high ponytail, and I've even managed to hide my bangs, pulling them to the side with hair clips. My high cheekbones are slightly flushed from the cold, making my freckles stand out more than usual against my pale skin, and my lips are pink and slightly cracked from the chill.
But it's my gray eyes that stand out the most. They show how fucking scared I am to be doing something so bold.
I was never one to go against my parents' wishes. Sure, I was a bit hard to deal with when I was a teenager, escaping the house a few times to hang out with the neighbors' children. But it was never something that got me grounded for longer than a couple of days.
The door to my bedroom on the second floor of our small cabin squeaks when I pull it open a few inches, peeping outside to check if the path is clear. I hear noises coming from the kitchen, pots and pans slamming against each other as Mom prepares lunch.
It's past ten in the morning, so my father might be working outside on our cotton plantation. I won't get a better opportunity than this.
I try my best not to make any sound when I walk down the stairs, skipping the last step, knowing it will creak under my weight. I walk through the living room, looking over my shoulder to make sure my mother didn't see me, and finally get to the porch.
But my mission is not done yet.
I still need to dodge every curious neighbor and villager wanting to know where I'm heading. Since today is Enrollment Day in all Haldoria, everyone's eyes are on the young generation wanting to get in.
It's pretty much the event of the year. Especially for a remote district like Brammere.
My heart is pounding so hard against my ribcage that I'm afraid it will tear my chest apart.
I need to get to the square before my parents realize I'm not home. Once I'm on the line, no one can stop me from applying.
The gravel crunches under my feet as I take the small road downtown. I pull the hood over my head and look at the ground, perking my ears in case someone tries to approach me.
Brammere Square is a ten-minute walk from our home, and thankfully, I don't run into anyone until I get to the heart of the village.
The whole place is buzzing.
I don't remember it being this chaotic and full. The cobbled streets are packed with villagers and their stalls, as they sell their homemade products and local food. The main plaza is set exactly like every other year—a huge table covered with a white, silk towel embroidered with the maroon and golden royalty emblem on the far end of the square, and three different queues in front of it—one for each species.
Three men dressed in royal army uniforms are seated at the table, each responsible for a line of students. As I head toward the human section, keeping my face hidden and avoiding bumping into anyone, I spot the governor of Brammere behind the main table, evidently happy that so many residents from the district are applying to join the Academy. He must get some good points with the king to be looking this excited.
The queues for mystics and healers are packed as usual, since they have no option other than being forced by law to enroll.
Humans are the only species that have a choice to join, but I don't think it'd have made much of a difference anyway. Almost every non-magical is eager for an opportunity to go to the capital.
I walk toward the line and remain quiet, watching everyone while we anxiously wait for the event to start.
"Good morning, people of Brammere." The governor's voice echoes through the square, enchanted by his mystic's power. "And welcome to the 20th year of the Haldorian Academy Enrollment Day!"
Claps and whistles erupt around me.
"Twenty years ago, when Eryndalor was finally free from the strings of the war that devastated the continent, our king Maximillian Edraven decided to build a place in Haldoria where we could all be actively participants in protecting ourselves, our family, and our kingdom," he carries on, gesturing toward the crowd. "For two decades, our brave young people have decided to become warriors, professors, doctors, or pursue any career that helps make Haldoria a peaceful place again."
His speech is nice and encouraging, but I already know it by heart at this point, having heard it every year when I came to watch the event. My parents used to bring me since the entire town stops to watch it, but this year in particular, now that I have become twenty-one, they decided to stay at home on purpose.
"Whoever is approved today should know that you're about to become an even more important part of our community. The Haldorian Academy is a prestigious place to be accepted into. And for all the healers and mystics who think they don't have a choice, you should look at it through the greater perspective. You're just as important to our kingdom as everybody else."
"Good Lord, he never stops talking," a familiar voice murmurs behind me.
Shit…
I look over my shoulder, not wanting to bring too much attention to myself, even if I'm already in line.
A pair of green eyes stares back at me, widening slightly as they see who I am.
"Hettie?" he whispers, leaning forward and looking around to make sure no one is looking at me. "What the hell are you doing here?"